Creative problem-solving and effective decision-making have a significant impact on an organization's growth and profitability. Knowing how to approach the range of problems you face daily with proven techniques in identifying and resolving problems will increase and enhance your own and your organization's performance.

Distinguish the difference between symptoms and causes to better clarify your problems.

Know how to the important questions that will help you analyze the risks and benefits of a solution.

Understand the factors to take into account when selecting solution alternatives.

Discover techniques for introducing creativity into the problem solving process.

Learn to analyze the social and physical restraints in the workplace that effect problem solving and decision

Decision-making.

Assess your own decision making style and its strengths and weaknesses.

See how to study behavior patterns in group decision making and determine which ones you should counteract.

Translate what you learn into action.

AUDIENCE:

All levels within any organization

PREREQUISITES:

None

EXPECTED RESULTS:

This program will equip participants with the skills to better clarify and define problems, generate potential solutions, and analyze risks and benefits. We will address such questions as: When should I make a decision on my own? How will others react to a decision and what are the implications? How and when should I implement a solution? You will gain a better understanding of how the mind works a greater capacity for generating creative solutions, and a discovery of ways to cultivate creative problem solving in your staff.

WORKSHOP DURATION:

Available in 1 and 2 day formats

OUTLINE::

Problem Solving And Decision Making Basics

Identifying The Problem

Specifically describe your data

Reporting your interpretation and feelings -- "own" the problem

Understanding the impact to both you and your organization

Clarification -- bring everyone to a clear understanding of the problem

Identify The Cause

Symptoms vs. causes: look for factors which are "distinctive" to the problem

Soliciting Alternatives -- The Search For New Solutions

Brainstorm -- collect as many ideas as possible before making any judgment

Recording all ideas and suggestions using visual aids

Planning For Implementation

Selecting alternatives

consider cost effectiveness, opportunity costs and acceptability

Deciding everything that must be done

who does what, when, where and how

drawing up and clarifying the contract

who needs to be informed?

Evaluation, Accountability, And Follow-up

Has everything been carried out?

Assessing effectiveness

is the solution working? -- Does it require revision work?

Introduce Creativity Into The Problem Solving Process

Linking Personal And Organizational Needs For Creativity

Thinking Of Problems As Opportunities For Groups To Grow Creative Muscles

Encouraging participation -- unlock some creative potential

Creating a comfortable, enthusiastic climate -- use feelings and attitudes

Involving the group in the planning and implementation of the plan

Allowing for unconstrained creativity

Even with critical situation (lighten-up) -- H A V E F U N!

Blocks To Creative Problem Solving

Perceptual and environmental blocks

what are they? (vertical vs. lateral thinking)

analyzing social and physical restraints in the work place

Making Effective Decisions

Understanding The Decision Maker -- How Do Individuals Make Decisions?